Cardinals Extend Winning Streak Despite Controversy, Cubs Lose

Before the first pitch, manager Mike Matheny noted there are distractions every day for the St. Louis Cardinals. This, he maintained, was just another one. A federal investigation into possible computer hacking by the team becoming news Monday failed to slow down the team with the major leagues' best record.

The Cardinals extended their winning streak to five by beating the Minnesota Twins 3-2 behind Michael Wacha's pitching and Mark Reynolds' two-run single.

"We're cooperating and I think they understand it really has nothing to do with us inside the clubhouse right now," Matheny said. "Our job is to stay focused on what we can do each day, and let that process take care of itself."

Before the game, Matheny said he was in the weight room when he first learned of the investigation into whether the Cardinals had hacked Houston's computer database. The Cardinals then completed a soggy homestand in which three games were delayed and another against Kansas City was postponed until July 23.

St. Louis is 43-22 overall and 26-7 at home, both tops in the majors, and matched a franchise best by reaching 43 wins in 64 games.

The FBI is investigating the Cardinals for allegedly hacking a database belonging to the Houston Astros, a federal law enforcement official said.

Major League Baseball said in a statement the league "has been aware of and has fully cooperated with the federal investigation into the illegal breach of the Astros' baseball operations database."

The Cardinals, one of baseball's most celebrated teams, acknowledged the federal probe, saying in a statment, "The St. Louis Cardinals are aware of the investigation into the security breach of the Houston Astros' database. The team has fully cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so." Citing the ongoing investgation, the team declined to comment further.

The database, nicknamed Ground Control according to the Houston Chronical, was hacked last year. A law enforcement official told ABC News it contained internal information about Houston's potential trades, scouting reports, contract information and other material that, if compromised, could be to a competing team's advantage.

The Astros said the team is "actively cooperating" with the federal investigation and declined to comment further.

The commissioner's office will wait until the investigation is over to determine whether discipline is warrented.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said during a press conference that the forensic experts in his office have not been involved in the FBI's investigation. And he was hesitant to call it a "cyberattack," instead calling it "unauthorized entry into Houston's system."

Indians 6, Cubs 0

Carlos Santana found his power stroke in his return to the cleanup spot for the Cleveland Indians. Santana hit a three-run homer and an RBI double, Trevor Bauer pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, and the Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Tuesday night.

Santana also walked twice after he was just 3 for 28 with a home run and an RBI in his previous seven games. Touted prospect Francisco Lindor replaced Santana in the No. 2 slot and contributed two hits in his first career start.

"I know it's a long season, but regardless of where they would have been hitting, when they swing the bat like that, we're going to be just fine," manager Terry Francona said.

Santana has made 30 starts in the No. 2 hole and 25 in the No. 4 slot.

Pirates 3, White Sox 0

To a man, the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation insists there is no sense of gamesmanship among them, no underlying need to try and outdo one another. It just looks like it.

A week ago Charlie Morton ended a two-game skid by blanking the Milwaukee Brewers. When his spot in the rotation came up again Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox, the spark Morton started has turned into a wave that shows no signs of slowing down.

If Morton felt any pressure, it didn't show. He worked seven efficient innings to remain unbeaten in his return from the disabled list as the Pirates rolled to a 3-0 victory. His sinker forcing the White Sox to pound the ball into the dirt, Morton (5-0) struck out three and walked just one to lower his ERA to 1.62.

Tuesday, June 16 Scoreboard

St. Louis 3, Minnesota 2

Houston 8, Colorado 5

Oakland 6, San Diego 5

San Francisco 6, Seattle 2

Boston 9, Atlanta 4

Baltimore 19, Philadelphia 3

Pittsburgh 3, Chicago White Sox 0

Cincinnati 5, Detroit 2

New York Mets 3, Toronto 2

Miami 12, New York Yankees 2

Washington 16, Tampa Bay 4

Texas 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 2

Cleveland 6, Chicago Cubs 0

Kansas City 7, Milwaukee 2

Los Angeles Angels 4, Arizona 1

Wednesday, June 17 Schedule (All Times Central)

Tampa Bay at Washington, 6 p.m.

Miami at New York, 6:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Philadelphia, 6:05 p.m.

New York at Toronto, 6:07 p.m.

Chicago at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

Boston at Atlanta, 6:10 p.m.

Detroit at Cincinnati, 6:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Chicago, 7:10 p.m.

Milwaukee at Kansas City, 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Minnesota, 7:10 p.m.

Houston at Colorado, 7:40 p.m.

Los Angeles at Arizona, 8:40 p.m.

San Diego at Oakland, 9:05 p.m.

San Francisco at Seattle, 9:10 p.m.

Texas at Los Angeles, 9:10 p.m.

Los Angeles at Arizona, 8:40 p.m.

San Diego at Oakland, 9:05 p.m.

San Francisco at Seattle 9:10 p.m.

Texas at Los Angeles, 9:10 p.m.